East Oregonian
PENDLETON — Brady Sims lowered himself down into the chute, straddling a nasty beast called Down N Out. He’d just watched Emilio Resende take the lead minutes earlier with an 87-point ride.
An 87. That was more than Sims’ first ride, the 85.5 points that bought him a spot in the final round of the PBR Classic on Monday in Happy Canyon Arena. He’d have to do better than that. Buck harder, hold tighter, stay longer.
He’d have to do better.
Eight seconds and countless beats of his racing heart later Sims was finally free to open his hand. He was done with Down N Out and he had 88 points to show for it.
Sims won the average on two bulls Monday with a total score of 173.5. But the victory was in doubt as he watched Mike Lee of Decatur, Texas, take to the arena two bulls later.